Houses to be built on derelict shoe factory site

New homes are set to be built at the site of a derelict shoe factory that was damaged by a fire in January.

Norwich City Council has purchased the former Van-Dal factory on Dibden Road, in Norwich, following the blaze on 20 January.

The authority sold the site to housing developers, Flagship, who are set to build about 48 new homes on the site.

A council spokesperson said: "The council has sold the former Florida shoe factory, on Dibden Road, to Flagship Housing recently, after acquiring the site earlier this year."

The derelict factory faced ongoing issues with vandalism, including smashed windows and graffiti, after Van-Dal shoemakers moved out in 2018.

Carli Harper, cabinet member for major projects at the authority, said: "We are determined to drive up provision of affordable housing and this shows our ambition.

"The site was at risk of becoming a magnet for anti-social behaviour and a localised eyesore, so it is great to see it getting put to good use," she added.

After the fire tore through the building, local people were urged to close their windows and avoid touching debris, due to concerns about potential asbestos risks.

A nearby primary school was forced to shut amid safety fears.

Soon after the incident, Norwich City Council purchased the site with part of its Town Deal revolving fund, using a government grant to unlock stalled brownfield sites by selling them on to developers.

"The sale of the site to Flagship was made on the agreement that they will provide around 48 new affordable homes subject to planning permission," a spokesperson from the council added.

Hemingford Group, which previously owned the building, has already carried out demolition work on the site but construction cannot start on the housing development until planning permission is granted.

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